Track: Regulatory

Learn the strategies to attaining packaging circularity straight from experts in each field. EU Policies aimed at the circular economy starting in 2015, in addition to regulatory pressure, packager and consumer awareness and ongoing innovation in materials have made the incorporation of zero-waste strategies a reality in the packaging field. This tour will pivot between the following areas: reduction of materials, reutilisation, recycling and renewal.

EU regulations on packaging and waste address environmental issues and the harmonisation of the internal market. Despite apparent success, the amount of waste is still on the rise (188.7 kg/inhab in 2021). This is underscored by the challenges of plastics recycling. Spain, the third leading country in plastics recycling, is still tackling this issue, with 36% of its plastic waste ending up in landfills. This raises waste management concerns and suggests the need for more effective policies and the promotion of alternatives such as reuse and recycling. These topics will be addressed by the round-table discussion “Impact of Plastics on Packaging Waste Management”.